As soon as Stan had finished cramming the last of the bread into his mouth, he jogged over to the chest in the corner of the room and flung it open. It was totally empty, save one item: a diamond sword, clearly old and well worn, with a violent enchantment glimmering dangerously on the blade. Stan reached into the container and clutched the handle of the sword. He had asked Olea if there was a place that he might be able to acquire an axe, but she had told him that, as long as the Noctem troops remained on the island, it would be impossible. So as of now, DZ’s diamond sword, endowed with a Knockback enchantment, was his only means of defence against the world.
Stan made his way over to the stairs but halted at the top. He realized that it might be wise to glance out the window and check the conditions on the street before going downstairs. Stan walked over to the wood-plank wall and ducked down beneath the open window before peeking his head up to look outside. He cursed under his breath but was quite glad that he had looked outside first, since the entire street was lined with Noctem troops. Stan sighed, accepting that he would have to wait until this big announcement was over to make his escape.
Then Stan did a double take out the window and realized that he could see the entire congregation of citizens in the central plaza of the city. Stan realized it was risky to stay near the open window, but his curiosity got the better of him and he watched the meeting commence.
The players of the city were gathered in a gravel plaza around a giant brown mushroom, which had been decorated with red mushroom blocks and turned into a water fountain. The crowd seemed confused, and unsure of why they were there. Then, suddenly, there was a collective gasp as two dark forms emerged onto the top of the brown mushroom.
The player further towards the back looked identical to Stan, though slightly darker in overall tone and covered head to toe in dark spores. Stan clenched his fist in hatred as he realized that he was looking at the chief of the Greater Mushroom Tribe, who had betrayed him and his friends to the Noctem Alliance in their raid of the Specialty Base. Slightly in front of him stood another form that Stan did not recognize. He was wearing the black leather armour of the Noctem Alliance over a camo-coloured army uniform and an assault vest.
“Greetings, people of the Lesser Mushroom Island.” The camo figure spoke in a voice that Stan was shocked to find that he recognized. “My name is Spyro, general of the Noctem Alliance.”
Stan’s fist clenched even tighter as he heard that name. The last time he had seen Spyro, the Noctem soldier had turned Oob and his family into Zombies and recruited them into the Noctem Alliance. Stan shook with rage as he realized that this was probably why Spyro had been promoted to general. Although he knew that he couldn’t be reckless, Stan still found himself longing for the day when he could sink a blade into both players standing up on the fountain.
“As you all know,” Spyro continued, “tonight marks the start of the third day since the Noctem Alliance established its presence on this island. Therefore, I, the commander of this legion of the Noctem Alliance, believe the time has come to make certain announcements. Firstly, it is my pleasure to announce that the Greater Mushroom Island will, from this day forth, no longer be an independent nation, but rather a province of the Nation of the Noctem Alliance.”
Horrified gasps and screams erupted throughout the crowd at this announcement, and intensified as troops began to pour in from the streets leading into the plaza. These soldiers were not clad in black like the Noctem troops, but rather in a light grey.
“The people of the Greater Mushroom Tribe,” said Spyro affectionately, gesturing to the troops now encircling the population of the city, “have been instrumental in the agenda of the Noctem Alliance, and we are now amiably considered mutual allies. In repayment for their help, the Chief of the Greater Mushroom Tribe has requested just one favour for his people. Therefore, in fulfillment of this favour, the Lesser Mushroom Island is now, and forever shall be, under the rule of the Greater Mushroom Tribe.”
Although Stan could not see the expressions on the faces of the crowd, he could imagine that they looked absolutely terrified at the implications of this turn of events. Stan felt his heart clench. A conversation came flooding back to him… a secret talk between Blackraven and the Chief of the Greater Tribesmen while he himself had been feigning sleep in his jail cell on Mount Fungarus. He had to let the people of the island know of the incredible danger they were in. His mind immediately went into scheming mode as he tried desperately to think of how to warn the Lesser Tribesmen in time.
“The people of the Greater Mushroom Tribe,” continued Spyro in an almost casual manner, “feel that you, the people of the Lesser Mushroom Tribe, have betrayed the sacred ideals of the Mushroom Tribe by living in the way that you have for the past six months. Therefore, under the new mandate, the Greater Tribesmen will see that you are put firmly back into your place.”
Spyro gave a smug little chuckle, which caused another collective outburst of terrified cries as Stan’s stomach flooded with acid. Spyro merely continued, “The second announcement regards a matter of national security. It has come to the attention of the Noctem Alliance that Stan2012, President of the Grand Republic of Elementia and Public Enemy Number One, has escaped Fungarus and is now in hiding on this island.”
The crowd was silent. Stan knew they must have been shocked but were far too terrified to speak out.
“As I am sure you are aware,” Spyro continued, malice dripping from his voice, “the Noctem Alliance does not take kindly to any who work against us. This island is, as we speak, being surrounded by a heavy blockade by sea. Escape from the island will be impossible. Therefore, if anybody has any information regarding the whereabouts of Stan2012, you are to deliver it to a member of the Noctem Army immediately. Should you carry information regarding the president’s location and fail to report it, you will receive a punishment that fits your crime.
“And now I am instating a curfew. All citizens are to return to their dwellings and are not to leave until sunrise.”
Immediately, the citizens filed out of the plaza with surprising speed. As a wave of people filed back towards Olea’s store and towards their own houses, Stan could practically feel the cloud of dread wafting off them. Stan saw Olea break from the rabble and re-enter the front door to her store. Stan turned around as she clambered up the stairs, looking disgruntled.
“How much did you hear?” she demanded.
“All of it,” Stan replied. “Olea, I…”
“Don’t say nothin’,” Olea said, speaking quickly and with an urgent look on her face. “You gotta wait for an opening, and then get off this island. It’s a hazard to you as well as the people living here the longer you stay.”
Stan nodded, his breathing shallow, as he walked back over to the window, looking out the corner. Olea walked over beside him to view the scene on the streets as well, and Stan could almost hear her racing heartbeat, which matched his nearly perfectly.
The roads were now cleared. Not one person could be seen in the streets, illuminated by the redstone lamps even as the sun was vanishing behind the skyline. The only forms of life remaining outdoors came in the form of the mass of grey-armoured troops standing in rows in front of the fountain and staring up at the Chief of the Greater Tribesmen.
“The time has come, my brothers and sisters,” the voice of the chief rang out over the plaza. “Our evil brethren have desecrated these sacred islands with their heathen ways for the last time. It is time for us to finally rid this server of the barbaric savages once and for all. We have long prepared for this day. You know what to do.”
The Greater Tribesmen cheered and pumped their fists into the air, some empty and some clutching bows. Then they dashed out of the plaza, flooding the streets. What happened next made Stan’s stomach drop in horror.
Half the Greater Tribesmen were sprinting down the streets, throwing small black objects into the windows of some of the street-side stores. The objects shattered the windows and were immediately followed by a burst